Mobile crane



Oct. 30, 1962 w. E. JOHNSON 3,061,113

MOBILE CRANE Filed Feb. 25. 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. WALTER E.JOHNSON ATTORNEYS BY xzmvum MOBILE CRANE 3 Sheets$heet 2 BY hm ATTORNEYSOct. 30, 1962 w. E. JOHNSON Filed Feb. 25, 1960 FIG. 2

Oct. 30, 1962 w. E. JOHNSON 3,061,113

MOBILE CRANE Filed Feb. 25, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. WALTER E.JOHNSON w. WMQW ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 3,06 l 1 l3Patented Oct. '30, 1962 3,061,113 MOBILE CRANE Walter E. Johnson, 3211W. 19th, Topeka, Kans. Filed Feb. 25, 1960, Ser. No. 10,966 16 Claims.(Cl. 212145) This invention relates to mobile railroad or the like craneconstructions and more particularly to mobile cranes including poweroperated extensible and retractable outrigger beams and jacks forstabilizing such cranes during working operations. This application is acontinuation-impart of application Serial No. 743,564.

An object of the invention is to provide a crane chassis or carrierhaving laterally extensible and retractable outrigger beams andoperating means of improved construction and operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved operating meansfor actuating outriggers composed of a plurality of telescoping beamsand extensible and retractable jack devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide a telescoping beamoutrigger and jack construction equipped with individual actuating meansfor positively extending and retracting the beams and the jack, theactuating means of a particular set of beams and jack being individuallyoperable by a single operating device of improved construction.

A still further object of the invention is to provide operating meansfor driving the beam and jack actuating devices and which is so mountedrelatively to the actuating devices as to be connected selectively toeither the outrigger beam or jack actuating devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the kindreferred to which is capable of being restrained against undesiredmovement by being operatively connected to one of the devices adapted tobe operated.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out specifically or willbecome apparent from the following description when it is read inconjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, side elevational View of a mobile railroadcrane equipped with apparatus constructed in accordance with theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged View in front elevation with partsbroken away and disclosing the apparatus in crane-stabilizing condition;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a. portion of the apparatusshown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is partly side elevational and partly sectional view of aportion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 2, the section being taken onthe line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE3;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary enlarged view, in front elevation, of a detailof the apparatus;

- FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken in the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7; FIGURE9 is an enlarged view similar to FIGURE 4, but showing a modified formof the invention;

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9, but showing the apparatus in anadjusted position; and

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken in the line 11-11 of FIGURE 9.

A railroad wrecking crane or the like embodying the principles of theinvention is represented in the drawings generally by the referencecharacter 1 and comprises a platform or chassis 2 mounted on wheeledtrucks 3 adapted to support the platform for movement over rails 4. Onthe platform may be mounted a turntable assembly 5 which in turn mountsa crane body 6 and a boom 7 equipped with conventional hoisting devicesof various kinds.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG- URES 1-8, the platform2 includes at each of its four corners an outrigger assembly 8 mountedfor extension and retraction along a path extending transversely of thepath of travel of the crane. Each of the outrigger assemblies 8 is thesame, so only one will be illustrated and described in detail.

As is best shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, a box-like housing structure 9 ismounted at each corner of the platform 2 and in which is slideablymounted an outrigger structure 10 composed of a preferably rectangular,hollow primary beam 11 and a secondary beam 12, the beam 12 beingtelescopically received in the beam 11, Preferably, upper and lowerrollers 13 and 14, respectively, are mounted within the housingstructure 9 in any convenient manner and engage the beam 11 so as to-facilitate extension and retraction of the latter relative to theplatform 2.

Actuating means 15 is provided for etfecting movements of the outriggerbeam 11 and comprises an operating shaft 16 journaled in a bearingsupport 17 on the structure 9 for rotation about a vertical axis. Theupper end of the shaft 16 may be formed as a socket member 18, for apurpose presently to be explained, and the shaft may have a drivingpinion gear 19 mounted fast thereon. The gear 19 meshes with a drivengear 19a mounted on a shaft 16a supported by the part 17. As is bestshown in FIGURE 4, the box structure 9 is provided with a notch or slot20 through which the gear 19a projects. Also forming a part of theactuating means 15 is a toothed rack 21 mounted on the beam 11 in aposition to mesh with the gear 19a. The construction and arrange- I mentof the outrigger parts thus far described are such that rotation of thegears 19 and 1%: will cause the beam 11 to be extended or retracted,depending on the direc-' tion of rotation of the gears, relative to theplatform. along a substantially horizontal path. Since the beam- 12 islocated within the beam 11, it will move with the latter.

The beam 12 preferably is generally I-shaped and, as has been referredto previously, it is telescopingly received in the beam 11 and issupported by top and bottom rollers 22 and 22a, respectively, mounted inany convenient manner on the beam 11 so as to facilitate extension andretraction of the beam 12 relative to the beam 11. Means for actuatingthe beam 12 is designated by.

the reference character 23 and comprises an operating shaft 24 journaledin the beam 11 for rotation about a vertical axis. The upper end 26 ofthe shaft 24 is formed as a socket for a purpose to be explained. As isdisclosed in FIGURE 4, the upper end of the shaft 24 does not extendbeyond the upper wall of the beam 11..

The purpose of this construction is to prevent interference between theshaft 24 and the box structure 9 when the;

. outrigger beams are fully retracted.

Mounted fast on the shaft 24 adjacent to its lower end and forming apart of the actuating means 23 is a pinion gear 28 similar to the pinion19. Another part of the actuating means 23 comprises a rack 29 mountedon the beam 12 in a position to mesh with the pinion 28, the

arrangement being such that rotation of the pinion effects movements ofthe beam 12 into and out of the beam 11 along a continuation of thehorizontal the beam 11.

At the free or outer end of each of the outrigger beams 12 is mounted ajack device 30. Each jack comprises a housing 31 welded or otherwisesuitably fixed to the end of the beam 12 and including an inner,vertical chamber 32 closed at its upper end by a closure member 33. The

path traversed by housing 31 terminates at a level above the lower face3 of the beam 12, as is shown in FIGURE 2, for a purp s to be explained.Welded or otherwise fixed to the member 33 is a vertical guide post 34which extends a substantial distance into, but not completely through,the chamber 32. Slideably mounted on the guide post 34 1S an externallythreaded screw element 35 having a longitudinally extending bore 36 ofsuch size as to accommodate the post 34. The screw element 35 may beprovided with a keyway 37 in which loosely fits a key 38 formed in thepost 34, the arrangement being such as to permit relative slidingmovement of the parts 34 and 35, but prevent relative rotationtherebetween.

The lower end of the jack housing 31 is provided with an opening 39through which the screw element 35 extends, the lower end of the latterbeing provided with a supporting element or extension 40 which is formedwith a flange or plate-like part 41 having a lower surface 42 formed asa section of a spherical surface. A supporting foot member 43 has alower non-skid surface 44 and an upper surface 45 complementing thecurvature of the plate 41. The supporting foot 43 is loosely mounted onthe plate 41 by means of a peripheral flange 46 secured to the uppersurface of the foot in any suitable manner, as by welding, and arrangedto overlie the plate 41. The construction and arrangement of the parts41-46 are such as to permit the foot 43 to adjust to the inclination ofthe ground or other object on which it is to rest while permitting theline of force transmitted by the supporting element 40 to be coincidentwith the longitudinal axis of the latter.

Actuating means 47 is provided for extending and retracting thesupporting element 49 and comprises an perating part 48 rotatablymounted in the chamber 32 and receiving the screw element 35. Theoperating part 43 is internally threaded in a manner to match thethreads of the screw element 35 and is provided with external gear teeth49 adapted to mesh with a pinion gear 50 keyed or otherwise mounted fastat the lower end of an operating shaft 51 which is journaled in bearingsupports 52, 52a for rotation about a vertical axis. The upper end 53 ofthe operating shaft 51 is formed as a socket and preferably is flushwith the upper surface of the housing 31 so as to permit the housing 31to be telescoped into the outrigger beam 11 with the beam 12. As hasbeen pointed out previously, the housing 31 terminates above the levelof the lower surface of the beam 12. The purpose of this construction isto Permit the supporting foot to be nested with the beam, as shown inFIGURE 1, thereby enabling the jack device 30 to be telescoped in thebeam 11.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG- URES 1-8, operatingmeans 56 (see FIGURE 4) is associated with each outrigger assembly foreffecting extension and retraction of the several parts of the assembly.Each operating means 56 preferably comprises a pneumatic wrench of knownconstruction and including a reversible pneumatic motor 57 connectedthrough suitable gearing housed in a gear box 57a to a rotatable spindle58 having a fitting 59 of such size as drivingly to fit in the socketsof each of the operating shafts 16, 2'4 and 51. As is best shown inFIGURES 7 and 8, the parts 58 and 59 are rectangular in cross-section,and the fitting 59 telescopes over the spindle 58 for a purposepresently to be explained. The wrench 56 may be connected by a hose 56ato a source of air under pressure, and may include switch and valvemeans (not shown) to control the operation of the wrench.

Means is provided for supporting the operating wrench 56 in such manneras to enable the latter to reach and operate, while supported, each ofthe actuating means 15, 23, and 47 in all of their positions ofadjustment. The supporting means is indicated generally by the referencecharacter 60 and comprises a plate 61 bolted or otherwise supported on aside frame member 62 of the platform 2 adjacent to each of the fourcorners thereof.

The plate 61 includes two pairs of vertically spaced cars 63 betweenwhich is mounted a pair of collars 64, the latter being rotatablymaintained in position by means of pivot pins 65 passing through theears 63 and the collars 64. Each of the collars has welded or otherwisefixed thereto a laterally projecting wing 66 to which is bolted orwelded an arm 67 that is fast with a companion rod 68 of substantiallength. The construction and arrangement of the parts of the supportingmeans described thus far are such that the rods 68 are parallel and arecapable of swinging relatively to the crane body about the axes of thepins 65.

Each of the rods 68 slideably receives a telescoping pipe section 69,each of which includes at corresponding ends a yoke 71?. The yokes 70are adapted to receive mounting :langes 71 of a clamp element 72 whichcomprises a strap 73 fixed to both of the flanges 71, but having a freeend 74. The strap is adapted to encircle a body portion 75 of the wrench56 and have its free end 74 removably secured to one of the flanges 71by means of an anchor bolt 76 so as removably to clamp the wrench to thepipes 69. The flanges 71 are secured to the yokes 70 by means of bolts71a.

The wrench supporting means is so constructed and arranged that thewrench is capable of being rigidly supported by the clamp 72 inreadiness to be shifted linearly or angularly to and from a position inwhich the Wrench may operate any of the actuating devices. In practice,the wrench supporting parts 69 normally are in their retractedpositions, as is indicated in FIGURES 1 and 4, and the telescopingfitting 59 is in a position such that it is fitted into the socket '18See FIGURE 2. In these positions of the parts, the wrench and itsassociated apparatus are positively restrained against either linear orangular movement.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG- URES 9l1, thoseparts of the apparatus which are the same as parts previously describedare identified by identical reference characters. The differencesbetween the earlier described embodiment and the embodiment disclosed inFIGURES 9-11 reside mainly in the wrenchsupporting means and in thewrench itself and these elements are indicated generally in FIGURES 9-l1by the reference characters 611a and 5612, respectively. The structuralelements of the supporting apparatus 60a are identical to thosepreviously described and, consequently, bear the same referencecharacters. In the modified embodiment, however, the arms 67 are spacedfrom the collars 63 and the ears 64 so as to provide a clearance C. Theclearance C is provided to permit the arms 67 and the rods '68 to pivotrelatively to the plate 61 about the axes of the mounting bolts 67a.

The flanges 71 in the modified construction are shortened so as toprovide a clearance C between themselves and the base of the yokes 70,thereby enabling the strap 73 and the wrench 56b to pivot relatively tothe yokes 70 about the axes of the bolts 71a.

Due to the provision of the clearances C and C, the parts of thesupporting apparatus 60a constitute a 4-bar parallelogram ilinkage bymeans of which the wrench 56b is capable of vertical movement. As aresult, the spindle 58 of the wrench can have its lower end formed as afitting adapted to be received in any of the sockets of the severalactuating devices. Stated differently, the telescoping construction ofthe wrench 56 may be dispensed with inasmuch as the wrench '56!) itselfis capable of vertical movement. The sizes of the clearances C and Cneed be only sufliciently large to assure that the wrench 56b is capableof vertical movement of such scope as to permit the fitting on thespindle 58 to seat not only in the socket of the actuating means 15 butalso in the socket of the actuating means 23. During movement of thecrane from place to place, the spindle fitting will be seated in thesocket of the actuating device 15 so as to support both the wrench andits supporting apparatus 60a in substantially horizontal position.

A crane equipped with apparatus constructed in accordance with theinvention and located at the site of its working operations isconditioned for operation by .ex-, tending the outrigger beams 11 and 12laterally of the path of travel of the crane and by extending the screwelement of the jack'dcvice 30 until its supporting foot 43 engages asupporting surface which, as is shown in FIG- URE 2, may comprise anumber of timbers T arranged on the road bed R adjacent to the tracks 4.

To effect extension of the outrigger beams and the jack device, thewrench may be operated to cause rotation of the fittings 59 or 59::while the wrench is in the position shown in FIGURE 2 or FIGURE 9.Rotation of the fitting in a predetermined direction will effectoperation of the actuating means 15 so as to cause the beam 11 to beextended laterally of the chassis 2. Lateral movement of the beam 11will cause corresponding movement of the beam 12 and the jack device 30inasmuch as the latter are mounted in the beam 11.

When the beam 11 has been extended a desired distance, the fitting 59 or59a may be lifted out of the socket 18 so as to disconnect the wrenchfrom the operating shaft 16. Thereafter, the wrench may be swung andextended to such position'that the fitting mayregister with the socket26 at the upper end of the operating shaft 24. See FIGURES 3 and 10. Thewrench then may be operated to effect rotation of the shaft 24 in suchdirection as to cause the beam 12 to be extended relatively to the beam11.

When the beam 12 has been extended a desired distance, the wrenchfitting may be lifted to disconnect the latter from the shaft 24, andthe Wrench swung and extended so as to enable the fitting to be seatedin the socket at the upper end o-f the jack operating shaft 51. TheWrench then may be operated to effect rotation of the shaft 51 in suchdirection as to cause the supporting foot 43 to be extended verticallydownwardly relative to the housing 31 and engage the upper surface ofthe top timber T or other supporting surface. In these positions of theparts, the beams 11 and 12 will be canted somewhat so as to disengagethem from the rollers 13, 14 and 22a so as to be frictionally engaged bytheir respective housings.

To retract the outrigger beams and jack device, it is necessary only toreverse the procedure just described.

As is apparent from FIGURES 2 and 10, the socket 26 is at a lower levelthan the socket 18. The socket 53' of the jack is at an even lowerlevel. Thus, the relative lengths of the wrench shaft 58 and thetelescoping fitting 59, and the size of the clearances C and C must besuch that the wrench fitting is capable of movement a distance at leastas great as the distance from the socket 18 to the socket 53. Also, thelengths of parts 68 and 69 must be such as to enable the wrench to beextended to operate all of the devices 15, 23, and 47 in all of theirpositions of relative adjustment.

As will be apparent from FIGURE 3, the several operating shafts 16, 24and 51 are located at varying distances from the longitudinal center ofthe path of reciprocation of the beams 11 and 12. An importantcharacteristic of the invention, therefore, is the ability of the wrench56 to partake of such movement relative to the chassis 2 as to becapable of connection to and operating each of the actuating devices 15,23 and 47 while being supported on the apparatus 60.

The disclosed embodiments are representative of preferred forms of theinvention, but are intended to be illustrative rather than definitivethereof. The invention is defined in the claims.

Iclaim:

1. In a mobile crane or the like construction, a mobile platform member;an outrigger member; means mounting said outrigger member for extensionand retraction relative to said platform member; first actuating meansreacting between said platform member and said outrigger member foreffecting movements of the latter relative to said platform member; ajack device having an extensible and retractable supporting element;means mounting said jack device on said outrigger member for movement ofsaid element relative to said outrigger member; second actuating meansspaced from said first actuating means and operatively connected to saidelement for effecting movements of said element relative to saidoutrigger mem-, ber; operating means for effecting operation of saidfirst and second actuating means; and means mounting said operatingmeans on said platform member for extension and retraction relative tothe latter so as selectively to enable connection of said operatingmeans to either of said first and second actuating means. i

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and secondactuating means are located at different levels and wherein saidoperating means includes a part adjustable to each of said differentlevels.

3. In a mobile crane or the like construction, a mo bile platformmember; an outrigger member, means mounting said outrigger member forextension and re-v i traction relative to said platform member; firstactuating means reacting between said platform member and said outriggermember for effecting movements of the latter relative to said platformmember; a jack device having an extensible and retractable supportingelement; means mounting said jack device on said outrigger member formovement of said element relative to said outrigger mem-. her; secondactuating means spaced from saidfirst actuat-- ing means andoperativelyconnected to said element for effecting movements of saidelement relative to said outrigger member; operating means for effectingoperation of said first and second actuating means; and means mountingsaid operatingmeans on said platform member, for extension andretraction relative to the latter so as selectively to enable connectionof said operating means to either of said first and second actuatingmeans, said mounting means comprising a telescoping device connected tosaid operating means and rotatably connected to said platform.

4. The construction set forth in claim 3; wherein said telescopingdevice includes a first pair of parallel members connected to saidplatform and a second pair of parallel members telescopingly mounted onsaid first pair of members and connected to said operating means.

5. In a mobile crane or the like construction, a mobile platform member;an outrigger member; means mounting said outrigger member for extensionand retraction relative to said platform member; first actuating meansreacting between said platform member and said outrigger member foreffecting movements of the latter relative to said platform member; ajack device having an extensible and retractable supporting element;means mounting said jack device on said outrigger member for movement ofsaid element relative to said outrigger member; second actuating meansspaced from said first actuating means and operatively connected to saidelement for effecting movements of said element relative to saidoutrigger member; operating means for effecting operation of said firstand second actuating means; telescoping frame means supporting saidoperating means; and means swingably mounting said frame means adjacentto said outrigger member on said platform member whereby said operatingmeans may be swung and extended to such positions'as to enable it tooperate either of said actuating means.

6. The construction set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and secondactuating means are located at different levels and wherein saidoperating means includes a vertically extensible and retractable partoperable to adjust to the level of each of said actuating means.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said means mounting saidoperating means supports said operating means for vertical movements.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said first pair ofparallel members are connected to said platform for swinging movementsin a vertical plane.

9. The apparatus set forth in claim 8 wherein said operating means ismounted on said second pair of parallel movements for swinging movementsrelative thereto about a substantially horizontal axis.

10. The apparatus set forth in claim wherein said first and secondactuating means are located at different levels and wherein saidtelescoping frame means is pivotally connected to said platform memberfor swinging movements in a vertical plane for adjusting said operatingmeans to the level of each of said actuating means.

11. In a mobile crane or the like construction, a mobile platformmember; an outrigger member having a primary beam mounted on saidplatform member for extension and retraction relative thereto along asubstantially horizontal path, and a secondary beam telescopinglymounted on said primary beam for extension and retraction relative tosaid primary beam along said substantially horizontal path; firstactuating means reacting between said platform member and said primarybeam operable to effect movements of the latter along said path; secondactuating means reacting between said primary beam and said secondarybeam operable to effect movements of the latter along said path; a jackdevice mounted on said secondary beam and including a supporting elementextensible and retractable along a substantially vertical path; thirdactuating means operatively connected to said element for effectingmovements of the latter along said substantially vertical path, saidfirst, second and third actuating means being spaced from one anotheralong said substantially horizontal path and at varying distancestherefrom; operating means for operating any selected one of saidactuating means; and means mounting said operating means for movementalong a path substantially parallel to said substantially horizontalpath and for rotation in a substantially horizontal plane so as toenable said operating means to be connected to any selected one of saidactuating means in all positions of said primary and secondary beams.

12. The construction set forth in claim 11 wherein said first actuatingmeans comprises a pinion; an operating shaft connected to said pinionand journaled on said platform member for connection to said operatingmeans; and a rack on said primary beam in mesh with said pinion.

13. The construction set forth in claim 11 wherein said second actuatingmeans comprises a pinion; an operating shaft fast with said pinion andjournaled on said primary beam for connection to said operating means;and a rack on said secondary beam, in mesh with said pinion.

14. The construction set forth in claim 11 wherein said supportingelement comprises a screw threaded part and wherein said third operatingmeans comprises a second threaded part in engagement with the firstmentioned part; an operating shaft journaled in said jack device forconnection to said operating means; and a pinion mounted on said shaftfor rotation therewith, said second part having gear teeth thereonmeshing with said pinion.

15. The construction set forth in claim 14 including an attachingelement fixed to one end of said supporting element of said jack device,said attaching element having a surface formed on the arc of a circle; afoot member having a surface complementary to said surface of saidattaching element; and means carried by said foot member and looselyengaging said attaching element for loosely mounting said foot member onsaid attaching element.

16. The construction set forth in claim 11 wherein said operating meanscomprises a pneumatic motor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,008,776 Berney Nov. 14, 1911 1,035,267 Terrill Aug. 13, 1912 2,365,169Billings Dec. 19, 1944 2,733,817 Course Feb. 7, 1956 2,842,972 HoudartJuly 15, 1958

